This Traditional Roast Turkey Recipe is cooked to the perfect temperature inside and out, with extra crispy brown skin and juicy and flavorful turkey meat! Start it upside down and finish it breast side up for the absolutely perfect result!
Let me start with this: this roast turkey recipe is not that hard. I have a lot of information in this post because there are a lot of questions that come up when it comes to turkey.
The reason for that, I believe, is that it can be difficult to determine the best way to roast a large piece of meat that is prone to drying out and has different cuts that are best cooked to different temperatures.
I’m here to answer these questions and break down the BEST way to roast a turkey that leaves you with perfectly cooked white and dark meat and that’s juicy and flavorful. (And brown and crispy on the outside.)
Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey can seem like an intimidating task, especially around the holidays. Many home cooks wonder – can you use chicken broth for turkey to help keep it moist and add flavor? The short answer is yes, absolutely! Chicken broth is a simple and effective way to boost the taste and moisture of your holiday bird.
Why Use Broth at All?
Adding some kind of flavorful liquid to the bottom of your roasting pan serves multiple purposes:
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Provides moisture. As the turkey cooks the liquid converts to steam which helps keep the meat from drying out. This is especially helpful for the breast meat which dries out easily.
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Adds flavor The seasonings and aromatics in broth impart extra taste to the turkey as it cooks
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Makes tasty gravy After roasting, use the flavorful pan drippings and broth to make an incredible gravy to serve with your turkey
Chicken broth is a smart choice to achieve all of the above benefits. But why chicken instead of turkey broth? Let’s explore the reasoning.
Chicken Broth Benefits for Turkey
Chicken broth offers a few key advantages when roasting turkeys:
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More readily available. Chicken broth can be easily found year-round at any grocery store. Turkey broth can be harder to locate outside of the holidays.
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Lower cost. A carton or can of chicken broth is very budget friendly, especially compared to more specialized turkey broth.
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Milder flavor. The taste of chicken broth is versatile enough to complement turkey without overpowering it. Turkey broth may impart a more pronounced turkey flavor.
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Food safety. Chicken broth provides an extra layer of protection against salmonella. Some experts warn against using turkey broth since it could transmit bacteria if not heated to a high enough temperature. Chicken broth avoids this risk.
So chicken broth offers convenience, affordability, versatility, and food safety. But how exactly should you use it?
How to Use Chicken Broth for Turkey
Using chicken broth to roast or baste a turkey is simple. Here are some easy methods:
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In the roasting pan: Pour 1-2 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan before adding the turkey. As it roasts, the turkey absorbs flavor from the steam.
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Basting: Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey with a brush or bulb baster dipped in chicken broth. This helps keep the skin from drying out.
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Under the skin: For extra moisture and flavor, loosen the skin from the breast meat and pour some broth directly underneath before roasting.
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Spice it up: For more flavor, use seasoned broths like herb, garlic, or onion chicken broth. Or add aromatics like garlic, onions, or herbs to regular chicken broth.
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Make it a mix: Use a blend of chicken broth, white wine, apple cider, or other liquids to provide depth.
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Cook stuffing: Replace some liquid in stuffing recipes with chicken broth for additional moisture and savor.
With these simple tricks, chicken broth can make your holiday centerpiece juicy, savory, and unforgettable. Give it a try this year for a turkey with all the right flavors. Your guests will be asking for seconds!
Expert Tips for Moist Turkey
Beyond broth, there are some additional expert-recommended tips to ensure your turkey stays tender and moist:
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Brine the bird: Soaking the raw turkey in a saltwater brine plumps it with moisture. Brine for 12-24 hours before roasting.
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Pat it dry: Blot the turkey with paper towels before roasting to remove excess moisture that can hinder browning.
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Start it breast down: Begin roasting with the breast meat facing down to prevent it from drying out as heat circulates.
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Use a probe thermometer: Test the thickest part of the breast and thigh to determine doneness instead of relying on cook times.
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Rest before carving: Let the cooked turkey sit for 15-30 minutes so juices can absorb back into the meat.
Make It a Flavorful Feast
With the right techniques like broth basting, brining, and thermometer tracking, you can serve up the most delectable holiday turkey. Don’t be afraid to get creative with extra flavor boosts too. Consider rubbing the skin with citrus zest, fresh herbs, or spices before roasting. Or place aromatic vegetables and herbs like onions, garlic, rosemary, sage or thyme inside the cavity.
The possibilities are endless when you start with a simple base of chicken broth in the roasting pan. This versatile ingredient infuses moisture, savor, and food safety so you can relax and enjoy carving up the perfect turkey. Surround it with sides and sauces made using that delicious roasted chicken broth, and your Thanksgiving spread will be the talk of the table. So go ahead and use chicken broth without hesitation – it’s one of the easiest secrets to holiday dining success!
Make Sure there is Airflow in the Pan
- Make sure there is airflow underneath the turkey when you roast, the air circulation makes the skin nice and crispy. You don’t want the turkey to sit in it’s own juices.
- If you don’t have a roasting pan with a rack: Let the turkey sit on top of vegetables like carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. (This makes the vegetables taste great too!)
- Basting a turkey is to spoon, brush, or pour liquid over it throughout the cooking process to keep it moist. The liquid can be drippings from the pan, or chicken/turkey broth.
- If you don’t have drippings to work with during the beginning of the roasting process, use some broth at first, the switch to pan drippings.
- If desired, you may baste your turkey every 30 minutes.
- If you brined your turkey, you can do it in fewer increments.
How to Roast it
Note: See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Remove the neck and giblets and pat dry. Add 3/4 cup chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan.
Rub the turkey generously with butter and olive oil and place it breast-side-down in the pan. (Salted butter is fine for an unbrined turkey. Use unsalted for a brined turkey.)
Roast the turkey in a 425° oven for 45 minutes. Rotate the pan 180° halfway through.
Decrease heat to 350° and carefully flip the turkey, breast-side-up. Add another 3/4 cup chicken broth to the roasting pan and baste the turkey with it.
Roast until the breast reaches 160°, then pull from the oven and let it sit for 20-30 minutes prior to serving. It will increase to the necessary 165° during this time.
How to Make Turkey Stock (Or Chicken Stock)
FAQ
Is chicken broth good with turkey?
Yes, you can substitute chicken broth for beef broth when baking turkey. While the flavor will be slightly different–chicken broth is lighter and has a milder taste than beef broth–it can still provide moisture and enhance the turkey’s flavor.
Can chicken broth be substituted for turkey broth?
Though there is a subtle flavor difference, I use chicken and turkey stocks interchangeably. With stock, there’s no need to worry too much about precise measurements and adhering strictly to the recipe; you may use the recipe below as a basic framework.
How to cook turkey in chicken broth?
Place turkey on the foil in the roasting pan. Pour champagne and chicken broth over turkey, making sure to get some liquid in the cavity. Bring aluminum foil up and over the top of turkey and seal; try to keep the foil from touching the turkey. Roast turkey in the preheated oven until juices run clear, 2 ½ to 3 hours.
Can I use chicken broth to brine a turkey?
Turkey Brine Ingredients
Vegetable Broth: You can use store-bought or homemade vegetable broth as the base for this recipe. Chicken broth will also work if that’s what you have on hand. Salt: Sea salt infuses the bird with savory flavor through osmosis. It also helps keep the meat tender and juicy.
What can I do with turkey broth?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Turkey broth is the star of the show in comforting soups and stews. But you can also use it as a base for sauces or an enriching casserole addition. Stir up some comforting goodness in your kitchen with these recipes with turkey broth!
What are the healthy substitutes of chicken broth?
Vegetable broth is an easy substitute for chicken broth. It has a very similar Flavor and color. Vegetable broth has a high amount of minerals because of vegetables, it prevents several diseases. Full of phytochemicals prevents eye diseases, cancer and heart problems. Immunity booster. Vegetable broth remains fresh and edible in a refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
How do you make turkey broth?
Bursting with rich, savory goodness, it’ll become your go-to base. Start by simmering a combination of turkey bones and fresh veggies. Allow the broth to simmer gently with spices and herbs. This infuses the liquid with deep flavors. The result is a golden elixir that lends an irresistible taste to your soups, stews, and gravies.
How do you make Turkey Soup?
Start by simmering a combination of turkey bones and fresh veggies. Allow the broth to simmer gently with spices and herbs. This infuses the liquid with deep flavors. The result is a golden elixir that lends an irresistible taste to your soups, stews, and gravies. 2. Southwest Turkey Soup
What is chicken broth?
Chicken broth is made by boiling chicken bones or meat in which other ingredients such as herbs, spices and seasonings are added to enrich the taste. As the meat and bones of the chicken are boiled, nutrients from the bones and meat leak out into the water and this makes the broth itself nutritious.
Can one refreeze homemade chicken broth?
It is not indicated. After thawing once, the chances of contamination are greater, and therefore the best option is to freeze in small portions, such as ice cubes, and thaw only what is going to be used.